[by the Telegraph, UK]
Monty Python have begun production on their first reunion project sinceThe Meaning of Life in 1983.
Their next film, A Liar’s Autobiography, is an animated 3D movie based on the memoir of the late Python member, Graham Chapman, who died in 1989 at the age of 48.
The film will use Chapman’s own voice – from a reading of his autobiography shortly before he died of cancer – and entertainment channel EPIX announced today that the film will be released in spring 2012 in both 2D and 3D formats.
Produced and directed by London-based Bill Jones, Ben Timlett and Jeff Simpson, the new film has 15 animation companies working on chapters that will range from three to 12 minutes in length, each in a different style.
Simpson said: “Creatively, the different styles reflect the stages in Graham’s life. Also, it saves us a lot of time.”
A Liar’s Autobiography was published in 1980 and details Chapman’s journey through medical school, alcoholism, acknowledgement of his gay identity and the toils of surreal comedy.
Asked what was true in a deliberately fanciful account by Chapman of his life, Python Terry Jones joked: “Nothing . . . it’s all a downright, absolute, blackguardly lie.”
John Cleese, who met Chapman at Cambridge University, has recorded new dialogue which will be matched with Chapman’s voice, captured long ago and Michael Palin will voice Chapman’s mother and father.
Terry Gilliam plays various roles. Among the original Python group, only Eric Idle has not become involved, though Timlett said the filmmakers are “working on” him.
In 2009, Cleese, Palin, Jones, Eric Idle and Gilliam received a special Bafta at a special New York screening of a new documentary about the Pythons.
Monty Python’s Flying Circus, the television comedy sketch show that first aired on the BBC on 5 October 1969, ran for 45 episodes over four series.
See the original story here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/film-news/8602765/Monty-Python-back-for-3D-animated-film.html